Indian Philosophical Systems

📍Two Broad Classifications

Indian philosophy, unlike Western philosophy, is not just about abstract thinking—it is aimed at moksha (liberation). Based on their belief in the authority of the Vedas, Indian philosophical systems are divided into two categories:

Category	Definition	Examples
Astika (Orthodox)	Accept Vedas as the supreme authority	Samkhya, Yoga, Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Mimamsa, Vedanta
Nastika (Heterodox)	Reject Vedic authority	Buddhism, Jainism, Charvaka, Ajivika

🧠 Nav Darshanas (Nine Indian Philosophies)

Type	Schools (Darshanas)
Astika	Samkhya, Yoga, Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Purva Mimamsa, Vedanta
Nastika	Buddhism, Jainism, Charvaka

🧩 The Six Orthodox Schools (Shad Darshanas)

1. Samkhya – Foundation of Indian Rationalism

• Founder: Sage Kapila
• Core Idea: World evolves through two realities:
  • Prakriti (Nature) – material cause
  • Purusha (Spirit) – conscious observer
• No need of God – Pure rational and dualistic system
• Means of knowledge: Perception (pratyaksha), inference (anumana), and scriptural testimony (shabda)
• Goal: Disentangle Purusha from Prakriti → achieve moksha

Initially materialistic, later incorporated spiritualism

2. Yoga – Path of Discipline and Meditation

• Founder: Sage Patanjali
• Core Text: Yoga Sutras
• Core Idea: Union of Atman with Paramatman via:
  • Asanas (physical postures)
  • Pranayama (breathing)
  • Dhyana (meditation)
• Accepts Samkhya metaphysics but adds belief in God
• Emphasizes practical discipline over pure reasoning

Patanjali: Philosopher, mystic, and medical thinker (2nd BCE – 5th CE)

3. Nyaya – The School of Logic

• Founder: Sage Gautama
• Text: Nyaya Sutras
• Core Idea: Clear logic is necessary to attain truth and liberation
• Emphasizes critical reasoning, five-step logic method (Nyaya syllogism)
• Tools: Inference (anumana), perception (pratyaksha), analogy (upamana), testimony (shabda)

This is the mother of Indian epistemology

4. Vaisheshika – Atomic Theory in Ancient India

• Founder: Sage Kanada
• Focus: Universe is made of atoms (paramanu)
• Six (later seven) padarthas (categories): substance, quality, action, generality, particularity, inherence, non-existence
• Salvation through understanding the physical world

Gives early ideas on physics and metaphysics

5. Mimamsa (Purva Mimamsa) – Ritualism and Vedic Authority

• Founder: Sage Jaimini
• Focus: Vedas are eternal and infallible
• Emphasizes ritual action (karma) as the path to liberation
• Upholds varna system and priestly rituals
• Belief: Good karma → heaven; moksha only if karma is exhausted

It defended Brahmanical orthodoxy and priesthood

6. Vedanta (Uttara Mimamsa) – The Essence of the Vedas

• Founder: Badarayana (Veda Vyasa)
• Texts: Upanishads + Brahma Sutras + Bhagavad Gita = Prasthanatrayi
• Core Idea: Atman = Brahman; Realization of this leads to moksha

Sub-Schools of Vedanta Philosophy

School	Founder	Core Belief	Path to Moksha
Advaita (non-dualism)	Adi Shankaracharya	Atman = Brahman; World is Maya (illusion)	Jnana (self-knowledge)
Vishishtadvaita (qualified non-dualism)	Ramanujacharya	Atman is part of Brahman; unity with difference	Bhakti (loving devotion)
Dvaita (dualism)	Madhvacharya	Atman and Brahman are completely distinct; soul is dependent	Devotion + meditation

🧘‍♂️ Comparison Summary: Six Schools of Indian Philosophy

School	Founder	Key Focus	Path to Moksha
Samkhya	Kapila	Dualism: Prakriti + Purusha	Knowledge (Jnana)
Yoga	Patanjali	Practical discipline and meditation	Control of body-mind-senses
Nyaya	Gautama	Logic and critical thinking	Logical inference and correct knowledge
Vaisheshika	Kanada	Atomism and material categories	Scientific inquiry into nature
Mimamsa	Jaimini	Vedic rituals and karma	Performance of yajnas
Vedanta	Badarayana (Vyasa)	Ultimate unity of Atman and Brahman	Self-realization and spiritual awakening

🛕 Broad Philosophical Trends

• The earlier systems (Samkhya, Vaisheshika) are more scientific/rational
• The middle systems (Nyaya, Yoga) balance logic with discipline
• The latter systems (Mimamsa, Vedanta) are more ritualistic/spiritual
• Despite their differences, all accept Moksha as the final goal

🔍 For UPSC Mains:

• Know the founders, core ideas, and comparison tables
• Use examples like Nyaya = Indian logic, Samkhya = dualism, Vedanta = monism
• For essays or ethics papers, Vedanta or Yoga insights can be beautifully used in value-based questions